Heather Conley gets lost in a rural part of central California and stumbles upon the compound of a man named Jonas. She is astounded to discover that he is none other than Jonas Walters, a famously reclusive writer of grim, searing novels of personal conflict and tragedy. Attracted to him almost in spite of herself, she eventually becomes emotionally and sexually involved with him. Along the way we learn the sad tale of Jonas's first wife, Marie. But just as Heather and Jonas's relationship seems to be flowering, they are confronted with a tense situation regarding Heather's friend Suzanne Felton, as well as with Hank Jenkins, Jonas's shy neighbor. Full of gripping emotional scenes and intense sexuality, this novel will not soon be forgotten